ignoring tonality: numbers instead of letters

This method ignores the concept of tonality ("what key are you in?") and instead uses 7 scale degrees - 1 through 7 - and the 6 most important chords of the natural chord scale. Since there really is only one key: all keys follow the same rules; the only difference between C and Eb is that all the pitches in Eb are 3 half-steps higher than the pitches in C.

This method uses a graphic of one octave of the piano keyboard with a dot on one or more of the white keys to represent notes and chords. The method uses the key of C major (and the other white key modes) throughout, though notes and chords are never referred to by letter names. I could not find a better way to graphically represent the diatonic scale than to show the key of C on the keyboard. The system of black and white keys - when you stick to the white key modes - gives a visual reminder of the order of whole and half steps in the modes.